Week Two Kindness Challenge in Review

So, this week’s kindness challenge had me observing kindnesses around me. Please forgive my repetitiveness with words. I am rather weak in the word department. I used to play Scrabble religiously, but I don’t think it helped much because , yeah, my vocabulary is pretty small. Anywhoo, maybe I should do more reading 🙂

Buuut, back to kindness, we could all use a little more kindness. Honestly, I was very unobservant this week. I don’t fail to recognize the kindness in my midst or to practice kindness, but locking it into my memory (or lack thereof) is my downfall. So, would it still be considered true kindness?

Do I fail to remember it because I am too busy to really think about it or because I am so used to it that it has become second nature (like breathing–it happens all on its’ own without any help from me)?

Hmmmm?

Anyway, as I said, I was either unobservant or I just can’t remember every act of kindness I observed. Either way, I think I have a problem. Weeell, not a problem, more like a hiccup.

Let me think for a moment…….

and a moment more…..

and still…a moment more……

That’s not actually true and I will start with being at work…..I did notice one co-worker being a ton more helpful than normal. One kindness that sticks out so well in my mind is my bosses’ reaction to my resignation. She took it so well that I felt incredibly guilty about leaving, not her intentions of course. She was just so understanding and forgiving. I felt like a heel. I spent days and days going back and forth about the resignation, trying to find a way to stay working without it affecting my home life. No such luck. Schedule-wise, I just couldn’t get it to work out.

Man, I just don’t know. Again, the observant quandary! I either didn’t notice or I didn’t leave my house and trust me, it could be both 🙂 Could be that being observant is not my greatest strength!

I’d like to believe, though, that I am so attuned to kindness that it’s presence is so normal in my life that I don’t ever see anything less. Taking part in this kindness challenge was one more step for me toward improving who I am as a child of God, a wife, and a mother as well as any other role I fill, working toward being the kind of person that God has asked me to be. I have always had a more positive outlook on life (I think) so maybe kindness is already all around me because that’s how I choose to see it.

Heck if I know!

But, it’s been a good week for me and I’ve tried to make it that way for others around me and that’s all that matters.

Right?

Oh yes, acts of kindness are a wonderful thing in this life. It adds to the beauty of living.

As always, feel free to comment because each one is welcome. All I ask if that you do choose to respond, please respond with kindness even in disagreement or challenge.

Yes! I am known for my note-taking. On everything. Lists for everything adorn my counter-tops and the dash of my vehicle as well as any other place I stick them in order to remember something of importance. But, do you think I could remember to write down kindnesses I observed? Silly me. Why heck now! That would be too easy. I think you’re right though, taking more notice is what I ought to do, but also commit it to memory. Maybe the awareness of acts of kindness is what helps to spread the acts of kindness. What do you think?

Thank you so much for participating. You raise some excellent points and I encourage you to explore them. Some participants mentioned keeping a journal where they jot a quick sentence down summarizing kindness they observed. They mentioned it helped them to be more aware of kindness around them and they liked looking back on it. I can’t wait to see what week 3 has in store 🙂

Notes and journal keeping are great ideas. I am certain they work wonderfully for most people. I tend to get sidetracked pretty easily so journal, I’ve done it. For years, I’ve kept journals which resulted in about 10 different notebooks only about 1/4 to 1/2 filled and then left to lay until I finally put them away. When I want to journal -whatever amount of time has passed- I just grab a new notebook. Keeping a list or writing myself little reminder notes works out best for me. And trust me, I write myself a lot of notes. My memory is terrible. Niki, I really appreciate this kindness challenge. I was just talking with my husband this morning about how he and I should both be working on conscientious conversation. Basically, thinking before we speak will open the door to clearer communication. This kindness challenge, from what I’ve gathered so far, is the same thing but geared toward kindness, generosity, and encouragement. To really be aware of kindness, from ourselves and from others, helps one to see the glass half full. Optimism and positive experiences make the world a better place. Thank you for putting the challenge out there.

Thank you for participating. Yes, as you get further into the challenge, you’ll see we explore kindness in the many forms it can present itself. It really helps you to be more mindful and aware. You’re right, by looking for kindness in and around you it helps you to focus on the positive things. I hope you enjoy the rest of the challenge 🙂